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Thursday, June 16, 2016

I Want a Favorite

This Friday is about Favorites and my Brooks use to be a favorite but now I'm not so sure anymore.

My Shoes I have been running in my Brooks Launch shoes for quite some time now. Once you find a shoe you like it’s hard to switch. I have been wearing Brooks since the first model. When the second edition came out there were a few modifications, but nothing drastic so I bought them. I ended up liking them just as much. So when I was ready to get another pair of Brooks, the third model was just coming out. I thought this was the perfect time to get another pair of the 2nd model because it would be less expensive. And since I never had a problem with them, I didn’t mind buying the older edition. I knew they were a good fit and I would be able to find them online at a great deal.The Discount

I recently was reading on other blogs about discounted running websites, such as running warehouses and 6pm. I first ordered from running warehouse. They had great customer service. The next day they called me to tell me unfortunately they could not find those shoes in their warehouse but they would be happy to offer me the new version at a discounted price. I told her thank you but I have not tried on the new version so I do not want to order a pair I have never tried on. She completely understood and she said she would give me a $5 voucher for this inconvenience.The Purchase

I then decided to check out 6pm website. They had the same exact shoes I wanted, and even a few dollars cheaper….score! I ordered them and it took no time for them to arrive. The week that I received them it rained, so most of the trail I run on was muddy for a few days, so of course I didn’t want to wear my new shoes. The following week we had beautiful weather so that was my chance to finally test out my new shoes. Even though I had the same exact pair, it’s still exciting putting on a new pair.

Testing

I ran a few miles and felt good. The following day, I ran 8 and I kept feeling like I had a snag in my sock on the one foot. I took my shoe off and they were perfectly fine. I didn’t think much of it until my next run, when I felt it again. I had the same kind of socks on so I knew it wasn’t that. I thought maybe it was the insole. It felt very thin on my foot bed, almost like my foot feels hot while I’m running, but only on the one side. I took the insole out to inspect it, and nothing!Conclusion

I know weird, right? So I have decided that these shoes are fine for 5 miles or less, but if I want to do a longer one 8+ they are just not going to work. Could it be these particular shoes? I never had this problem with my previous pair of shoes. Could it be the discounted website? Maybe they have a mass amount of shoes that may have a defect and can offer them at a discounted price? I am not jumping to any conclusions, but this is just what I have experienced. So my question is: Has anyone ever had a problem ordering from any discounted websites? -L

35 comments:

Hhhm. I've only ever bought shoes in store or from Road Runner which is not a discount site! I do know that even the smallest things can matter when it comes to running shoes. I hope you figure it out.

Hmm I would think they would be the same shoes but who knows? Once my then fave shoe model did an update that made my feet hurt and I had to return them. I also think sometimes after a while, your running gait or style changes and you may need new shoes.

If it's the insoles, do you have ones you could switch in for the new shoes and see if that fixes the problem? I haven't ordered from discount sites before, but I have ordered from Road Runner when my shoes were on sale.

for the most part I prefer to get my shoes in store so I can try them on. I do think that not all shoes are created equal so it's possible you just got an off pair. I have not ordered from discount sites before but have purchased several pairs from a particular retailer for rotating. Sometimes even in different colors the same pair can feel slightly different. I think you just try to be consistent with where you purchase from.

I've not had a problem, but I have heard my friends talk about there being a difference when you order from other sites. I was in love with Brooks Adrenaline since 2013. Loved them. Moved along with the newer editions but the most recent one just isn't made the way the others were. I've had to switch to a different version of Brooks. I'm liking the Ravenna7. Won't stray from Brooks though!

I buy discounted shoes a lot online and the only thing I can think of is some shoes are better for distances. I have shoes i only use to train for 4 miles or less, some i just use for speedwork and some that mix it all together

That is odd. I haven't bought from discount places per say, I've snagged for cheap on amazon though when the newer ones are out and they drop the old ones. I'm looking to buy two new pairs over the summer, and the problem is like you mentioned about not buying shoes you havent tried. There's some I'd like to try, but unless I can find them in store, it's hard to pull the trigger. Even then, it's hard to tell if they'll really be good on longer distances and such.

Ordering shoes online is hard because each pair is slightly different. I like to try them on in person in case there's a weird stitch or padding issue in a shoe, which I've seen before. Then again, my local running stores don't carry the shoes I like, so sometimes I have to order online.

I have my favorite shoes and I've been in them for years, but the new edition is so different I can't wear them. I'm still looking for replacements :(

I just bought a pair of brooks online, directly from Brooks, and they hurt/irritate my one toe after 6 miles. They are perfectly fine for anything below 6... I thought it was weird! I don't know, maybe they need to be worn more, different socks? It's very stressful!

I've been a Mizuno fan from the beginning of my running 6 years ago. I've been in the Inspires and Riders. My most recent pair (an old model for less, like what you did) has caused me nothing but problems. I love my Mizunos dearly but I'm now wearing Newtons instead. I have to toss the Mizunos that were bothering me because whenever I wear them I end up getting injured. Not sure if I'll buy another pair but we'll see.

Sorry...I'm gonna spend a moment on the soap box....Years ago, I used to work in a shoe store (it was not a specialty running shoe store, though). Believe it or not, there are probably no two identical pairs of shoes, even if they're of the same brand/model. They will be very similar, almost exact matches, but there will (most likely) be some slight differences. Most people won't notice any change between models (unless they've worn the exact shoes for identical miles, on the same terrain, in the same weather conditions, over the same period of time. Also, everyone's feet are different (most people don't have exact "mirror image" feet....again, the shape, size, etc. will usually vary between an individual's own feet. Ideally, it's always best to try-before-you-buy, to make sure there aren't any weird (unfortunate) "flaws" in the shoes you will invest a good 300-500 miles in. (carefully dismounting the box LOL). Bottom line, I'm too paranoid about injury to gamble on discounted shoes (no matter where they come from).

I tried ordering shoes online at cheaper rates, but they've never felt as great at ones purchased at a running store. Maybe it's just been bad luck, but now I just go to our local store.

And I hear you when it comes to not wanting to switch - I started out wearing nothing but Brooks Adrenaline and when the store owner asked if I wanted to try Asics, I said no. He convinced me ... and now I love them! Lesson learned. ;)

I've previously used New Balance and just bought Brooks Launch about a month ago. So far I love everything about them except one thing - even on short runs they give me a blister in one specific spot on my heel. I'm using moleskin on that spot so it doesn't happen. But I wonder, should I put up with that or try to find shoes that don't have any issues for me? I need to find a pair for the full marathon so that makes me nervous :/

Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.

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We are two sisters who are runners and Disney lovers. On this blog we tell our stories of traveling, training, races, ( and a few tips we've learned along the way). We talk about products we've tried and all the things that bring us joy (including our yellow Labradors). Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy what you read.